Apparatus for the printing of photographic images on raw stock



May 14, 1968 s. JEFFEE ET AL APPARATUS FOR THE PRINTING OF PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES ON RAW STOCK 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed June ll, 1965 waf e May 14, 1968 5` JEFF-'EE ET AL. 3,382,787

APPARATUS FOR THE PRINTING 0F PHoToGRAPHIC IMAGES 0N RAW STOCK Filed June ll, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 May 14, 1968 s. JEFFl-:E ET AL 3,382,787

APPARATUS PoR THE PRINTING oF PHOTOGRAPHIC IMAGES` oN RAW STOCK Filed June ll, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 United States Patent O f 3,382,787 APPARATUS FOR THE PRINTING OF PHOTO- GRAPHIC IMAGES N RAW STOCK Saul Jeffee, Scarsdale, N.Y., and John .loseph Kowalak,

River Edge, NJ., assignors to Movieiab, Inc., New

York, N.Y.

Filed June 11, 1965, Ser. No. 463,302 Claims. (Cl. 95-75) ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE In order to provide for printing a pre-print film a num- -ber of times in side-byside relation on raw stock, provision is made for shifting rollers in such a manner as to shift the pre-print film and raw stock transversely relative lto each other. Detection apparatus is also provided to detect whether the rollers have been properly shifted and a locking arrangement is provided for the roller shafts.

This invention relates to apparatus pertai -ing to the multiple printing of images of a preprint film on photographie raw stock.

It is an object of the invention to provide for printing two or more positive images on the same piece of raw stock from a single-pre-print negative, thus avoiding the necessity for employing multiple negatives or a single multiple negative, as has een heretofore employed.

To achieve the above and other of its objectives, the invention contemplates the use of a source of a pre-print film with a take-up means being provided for said film and the use of a source of photographic raw stock with tal-:eup means being provided for the same.

Moreover, the invention contemplates the utilization of photographic transfer means for transferring images on the pre-print film to the raw stock at a transfer station.

Further in accordance with the invention, there is provided a guide rneans for guiding the film and raw stock along paths from the respective sources to the respective take-up means and, -between the sources and the takeup means, guiding and driving the film and raw stock in juxtaposed relation through the transfer station, the guide means including shift means for shifting the film and raw stock transversely relative to one another whereby successive runs can be made between t-he sources and take-up means with the film and raw stock in successive transverse alignments so that the film can be printed in a plurality of adjacent parallel strips on the raw stock.

According to one specific embodiment of the in'vention, the shift means referred to hereinabove may comprise a plurality of guide rollers having parallel axes and being shiftable individually between parallel paths leading through the aforesaid station, the apparatus further comprising power means coupled to the guide means for driving the film and raw stock, and detection means responsive to the positioning of the guide rollers in the different paths to deactivate the power means when said guide rollers are not in alignment.

According to one aspect of the invention, the guide means and shift means can provide for retaining the film in a single path between the source and take-up means therefor, while providing for shifting the raw stock transversely of the film. According to another aspect of the invention, the raw stock may be maintained in a single path while providing for shifting the film transversely thereof.

According to other aspects of the invention, the film and raw stock can be driven continuously at the same speed, whereas the film and raw stock can alternatively be driven incrementally in synchronism.

In accordance with one specific feature of the invention, a single aperture can be provided for the passage of light at the aforesaid transfer station, whereas in accordance with another specific feature of the invention, there can be provided a plurality of apertures spaced transversely across the aforesaid paths and longitudinally along the same, there being provided means for masking all but the aperture at the active path.

According to still another feature of the invention, a roller can be provided for driving the raw stock which comprises at least three axially spaced sprockets of which at least two are adapted to engage with the raw stock, depending upon the relative transverse position of the latter.

The invention, as noted above, also provides improved methods in accordance with which the images of a preprint film are transferred to a longitudinal strip of photographic raw stock which is at least twice the width of the said fil-1n and then the images are transferred from the film to a second parallel strip of the raw stock.

In accordance with one imethod of the invention, the film and raw stock are run first in one direction and then in the opposite direction for the transfer of the images to the respective strips, whereas in accordance with another method of the invention the film and raw stock are run first in one direction, are then rewound, and are then rerun in the same direction as in the first instance for transfer of images from the film to the second strip of the raw stock.

In accordance with the methods of the invention, it is further possible to move the raw stock relative to the film or vice versa with one of these elements being -held stationary for the relative shifting operation.

In accordance with a still further aspect of the invention, it is possible that the film and raw stock be moved either continuously or incrementally.

Other objects and features of the invention will be apparent from the following detailed description of some preferred embodiments, as illustrated in the accompanying drawing, in which:

FIGURE 1 diagrammatically illustrates a guide and drive means provided in accordance with the invention, with the film and raw stock in one relative position;

FIGURE 2 illustrates the apparatus of FIG. 1, with the shift means adjusted to displace the raw stock relative to the pre-print film;

FIGURE 3 is a side view diagrammatically illustrating the apparatus of FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective broken-away view of a detail of the apparatus employed in FIGS. l-3;

FIGURE 5 diagrammatically illustrates a modification which can be employed in accordance with the invention;

FIGURE 6 is a view similar to that of FIG. 5, with the film displaced relative to the raw stock; and

FIGURE 7 diagrammatically illustrates an embodiment of the invention related to FIGS. 1-3.

According to the invention, provision is made for transferring a strip of images from a pre-print film or negative to a strip of photographic raw stock which has la width which exceeds that of the film by a ratio of at least 2:1.

For example, the invention provides new techniques for printing with a contact technique or the like from a 16 mm. pre-print material onto a 3 rank 35 msm. double 16 mm. lm.

It is to be understood that the transfer of images from the hlm or ynegative to the raw stock is preferably effected by the use of light in accordance with well known techniques, the transfer taking place in a room, the lighing of which is appropriately controlled according to well known techniques, or alternatively, in a light-tight apparatus, exposure being made through a specie aperture.

In FIG. 1 is shown a support frame 10, whereon are mounted shafts 12 and 14, having thereon rollers 16 and 18 with which are associated sources and take-up means for the pre-print film and raw stock respectively.

For purposes which will be understood from the details which follow hereinafter, roller 16 is provided with three sprockets 20, 22 and 24, and roller 18 is provided with three sprockets 26, 28 and 30.

The source of light by means of which images are transferred from the pre-print film to the raw stock is indicated diagrammatically in the form of aperture 32, adjacent which is provided a rotatable sprocket wheel 34, which engages both the pre-print film and raw stock immediately adjacent aperture 32 for effective guiding and driving of the same in synchronism with one another,

Upstream of the aperture 32 are provided, for example, a stationary roller 36 and an adjustable roller 38. Downstream of the aperture 32 may be provided similar rollers, which are unnecessary to an understanding of this invention.

-In the side view of FIG. 3 are again seen the frame 10, drive sprocket 34, rollers 16 and 18, and rollers 36 and '38. Additionally shown are rollers 4) and d2, which for purposes of explanation will be considered movable rollers which move, as will be indicated hereinafter, similarly to roller 38.

Also diagrammatically illustrated in FIG. 3 are the sources 44 and 46 of the film and raw stock and the takeup means 48 and S0 for these strip elements. Said sources and take-up means are of a conventional construction.

lIn FIG. 1 appears the pre-print film 52 and the raw stock 54, and it will appear from the drawing that the raw stock is at least twice the width of the pre-print film 52.

In FIG. 1 the film 52 and the raw stock 54 are aligned substantially in parallel, with the film 52 being juxtaposed to the left-hand side of the raw stock 54. This arrangement provides for a transfer of the images on the :film 52 to the left-hand side or strip of the raw stock 54, when these two elements move in juxtaposition past the aperture 32.

In FIG. 2 it is seen that the film 52 has been maintained in position as regards the transverse disposition thereof, since it is still in alignment with the aperture 32. The raw stock 54, however, has been transversely displaced to the left relative to the paths of the film 52 and the raw stock 54, such that the lm 52 is now disposed adjacent the right-hand strip or half of raw stock 54 so that a second transfer is possible in a second parallel strip.

For this purpose, the roller 36 is a stationary roller and maintains the same position in FIG. 2 that it has in FIG. 1, whereas the roller 38 is an axially displaceable roller and has been moved to the left in FIG, 2 from the position which it occupied in FIG. 1.

It is also to be noted that whereas the raw stock 54 is engaged by sprockets 22 and 24 in FIG. 1, the raw stock 54 is instead engaged by sprockets 20 and 22 in FIG. 2. Similarly, whereas the raw stock is engaged by sprockets 28 and 30 in FIG. 1, the raw stock 54 is engaged by sprockets 26 and 28 in FIG. 2. Both in FIG. 1 and FIG. 2, however, the film 52 is engaged by the sprocket 22 in respect of roller 16, and by sprocket 26 in respect of roller 18.

According to the invention, sources 44 and 46 may be reversible; that is, the sources `44 and 46 may serve both as sources and as take-up means. Similarly, the take-up means 48 and 50 can operate both as take-up means and as sources.

Accordingly, it is possible to make the drive 34 either uni-directional or bi-directional, such that the lm and raw stock may be driven in one direction or the other.

Thus, according to the method and apparatus of the invention, it is possible to drive the film 52 and raw stock 54 in the same directions in FIGS. 1 and 2, in which event there is an intermediate rewinding of the film and raw stock or, alternatively, to drive the film and raw stock 54 in one direction in FIG, 1, while making a transfer of images therebetween, and in the opposite direction in FIG. 2, while also making a transfer of images therebetween.

FIG. 4 illustrates partially diagrammatically and in perspective broken-away view, some of the details associated with the apparatus illustrated in FIGS. 1-3, and in this figure appears the frame 10, upon which is mounted one of the movable rollers, for example, the movable roller 38.

`Supporting said roller is a shaft 56, axially slidable in a sleeve 58, mounted on the frame 10. Said shaft passes through a plate 6i) by means of a bearing 62 and through a plate 64;, by means of a bearing 66.

Operatively associated with the roller 38 is a tension roller 63 (not illustrated in FIGS. 1-3) having a fixed radial distance from the roller 3S, as it is also mounted on the plate 64 by means -of a bearing 7 0.

Said tension roller 65 is mounted on a shaft 72 passing through a slot 74 in the aforesaid plate y60 and has associated therewith an end lever 76 through which spring tension can be applied.

The sleeve 5S is provided with two slots or openings 78 and 80, the shaft 56 being provided with a single groove or slot which is alignable with one of the slots 78 and 80. Y

Pivotally mounted on the frame 10 is an arm 82, which can be manually controlled through protrusion 84 or the like and which is of a dimension which enables it t-o protrude into the slot 78 or 80, according to which of these slots is aligned with said arm.

Said arm 82 by protruding into the aligned slot in the shaft A56 locks the same in the position into which it is. manually moved.

The shaft 56 includes an end 86 which protrude's through the end of the tubular sleeve 58 and engages with a lever 88 of a microswitch 90 coupled to a source 92 of electrical power which may, for example, be connected to ground.

Microswitch 90 operates similarly to a second microswitch 94 which is coupled in like manner to another displaceable roller, the two (or more) microswitches being coupled to a motor 96 constituting a source of power for the drive sprocket 34 which is, for example, shown in FIGS. 1-3.

The purpose of the arrangement of microswitches 90 and 94 is to assure that the rollers which are axially displaceable are all displaced to the same identical path, for if one of these rollers were to be misaligned in a different path, the prospects of damaging a very expensive preprint film would exist. Accordingly, the invention makes provision for assuring that all of the displaceable rollers are aligned along the same longitudinal path or strip so that the likelihood of causing such damage is avoided.

In FIGS. 5 V'and 6 is illustrated the possibility of shifting the pre-print film or negative 100 relative to an associated strip of raw stock 102. The problem in this particular arrangement is the difficulty in providing the necessary guiding at the side of the associated aperture and for this reason the apparatus can be provided with a plurality of apertures which are not only spaced transversely across the paths of the raw stock and film, but are also displaced longitudinally along these paths (to permit guiding at the apertures), there being provided means for masking out all but the operative one of the apertures at a time.

More particularly, in the case illustrated in FIGS. 5 and 6, lwhere there are two parallel stripsY of the raw stock 162 to be used, there will be provided apertures 104 and 106, these being spaced transversely of one another so as to lie in the respective paths and also spaced longitudinally of said paths so that two apertures do not lie transversely adjacent one another. This affords the `room for the necessary drives of the film and raw stock adjacent the apertures, as is required for exact and positive driving of film and raw stock at the transfer station, whereat the images are transferred from the film to the raw stock.

In FIG. 5 is further illustrated diagrammatically a shutter 108 which will mask out the aperture 106, since the same is not in use, there being shown diagrammatically a shutter 110 masking off aperture 104 in FIG. 6, since the aperture 104 is inoperative in FIG. 6.

FIG. 7 shows a film or negative 112 in operative association with raw stock 114, the latter being displaced transversely to the position illustrated in phantom lines to provide for transferring the images on the strip 112 to two parallel strips on the raw stock 114, there being employed -a single aperture 116 defining a photographic transfer station for this purpose.

From the above it will be seen that apparatus is contemplated in accordance Iwith the invention for the multiple printing of the images of a pre-print film on photographic raw stock whose width is at least twice that of the film, which comprises a source of film, take-up means for the film, a source of raw stock and take-up means for this raw stock, there being further provided photographic transfer means for transferring images on the film to the raw stock at a transfer station.

Moreover, there has been seen guide means for guiding the film and raw stock along paths from the respective sources to the respective take-up means, and intermediate said sources and take-up means, the guide means have been seen to guide and drive the film and raw stock in juxtaposed relationship through the transfer station.

It has also been seen that the guide means include shift means for shifting the film and raw stock transversely relative to one another at the transfer station, whereby successive runs can be made between the sources and take-up means, with the film and raw stock in successive transverse alignment so that the film can be printed in a plurality of adjacent parallel strips on the raw stock.

There has been also illustrated the use of a plurality of guide rollers having parallel axes and being, for example, individually shiftable between parallel paths leading through the aforesaid transfer station, the apparatus of the invention further -comprising power means coupled to the guide means for driving the film and raw stock and detection means such as microswitches responsive to the positioning of the guide rollers in the different paths to deactivate the power means.

According to the method of the invention provision is made for transferring images of a pre-print film to a longitudinal strip of photographic raw stock which is at least twice the Width of the film and then transferring the images from the film to a second parallel strip of the raw stock.

According to the invention, the film and raw stock may be first run in one direction and then in opposite direction for the transfer of the images to the respective strips, whereas in accordance with another embodiment of the invention the lm and raw stock are first run in one direction for transfer to a first strip on the raw stock, are then rewound, and then are rerun in the same direction for transfer to the second strip on the raw stock.

In accordance with still another aspect of the invention, the film may be shifted relative to the raw stock which is held stationary, or alternatively, the raw stock may be shifted transversely of the film which is held stationary.

According to still another aspect of the invention, the film and raw stock may be run either continuously or incrementally, provided that they are preferably run at the same speed and in synchronism.

There will now be obvious to those skilled in the art, many modifications and variations of the apparatus and methods set forth above. These modifications and variations will not depart from the scope of the invention if defined by the following claims.

What is claimed is:

1. Apparatus for the multiple printing of the images of a pre-print film on photographic raw stock whose width is at least twice that of said pre-print film; said apparatus comprising a source of said pre-print film, take-up means for said pre-print film, a source of said raw stock, takeup means for said raw stock, photographic transfer means for transferring images on the pre-print film to said raw stock at a transfer station, and guide means for guiding the pre-print film and raw stock along paths from the respective sources to the respective take-up means and, intermediate said sources and take-up means, guiding and driving said pre-print film and raw stock in juxtaposed relation through said station, said guide means including shift means for shifting the pre-print film and raw stock transversely relative to one another at said station whereby successive runs can be made between the sources and take-up means with the pre-print film and raw stock in successive transverse alignments so that the pre-print film can be printed in a plurality of adjacent parallel strips on the raw stock; said shift means comprising a plurality of guide rollers having parallel axes and being shiftable individually between parallel paths leading through said station; said apparatus further comprising power means coupled to said guide means for driving the pre-print film and raw stock and detection means responsive to the positioning of said guide rollers in different paths to deactivate said power means.

2. Apparatus for the multiple printing of the images of a pre-print lm on photographic raw stock whose width is at least twice that of said pre-print film; said apparatus comprising a source of said pre-print film, takeup means for said pre-print film, a source of said raw stock, take-up means for said raw stock, photographic transfer means for transferring images on the pre-print film to said raw stock at a transfer station, and guide means for guiding the pre-print film and raw stock along paths from the respective sources to the respective takeup means and, intermediate said sources and take-up means, guiding and driving said pre-print film and raw stock in juxtaposed and synchronous relation through said station, said guide means including shift means for shifting the pre-print film and raw stock in entirety transversely relative to one another whereby successive runs can be made between the sources and take-up means with the pre-print film and raw stock in successive transverse alignments so that the pre-print film can be printed in a plurality of adjacent parallel strips on the raw stock; said guide means and shift means including means for retaining the pre-print film in a single path between the source and take-up means therefor while providing for shifting the raw stock as a whole transversely of the preprint film.

3. Apparatus for the multiple printing of the images of a pre-print film on photographic raw stock whose width kis at least twice that of said pre-print film; said apparatus comprising a source of said pre-print film, take-up means for said pre-print film, a source of said raw stock, take-up means for said raw stock, photographic transfer means for transferring images on the pre-print film to said raw stock at a transfer station, and guide means for guiding the pre-print film and raw stock along paths from the respective sources to the respective take-up means and, intermediate said sources and take-up means, guiding and driving said pre-print film and raw stock in juxtaposed and synchronous relation through said station, said guide means including shift means for shifting the pre-print film and raw stock in entirety transversely relative to one another whereby successive runs can be made between the sources and take-up means with the pre-print film and raw stock in successive transverse alignments so that the pre-print film can be printed in a plurality of adjacent parallel strips on the raw stock; said guide means and 7 shift means including means for retaining the raw stock in a single path between the source and take-up means therefor while providing for shifting the pre-print film as a Whole transversely of the raw stock.

4. Apparatus for the multiple printing of the images of a pre-print film on photographic raw stock Whose width is at least twice that of said pre-print film; said apparatus comprising a source of said pre-print lilm, take-up means for said pre-print film, a source of said raw stock, take-up means for said raw stock, photographic transfer means for transferring images on the pre-print film to said raw stock at a transfer station, and guide means for guiding the pre-print film and raw stock along paths from the respective sources to the respective take-up means and, intermediate said sources and take-up means, guiding and driving said pre-print film and raw stock in juxtaposed relation through said station, said guide means including shift means for shifting the pre-print lm and raw stock transversely relative to one another at said station Whereby successive runs can be made between the sources and take-up means with the pre-print lm and raw stock in successive transverse alignments so that the pre-print lm can be printed in a plurality of adjacent parallel strips on the raw stock; said. guide means including at least one roller arrangement comprising: a fixed tubular sleeve having a slot therein, a shaft slidable in said sleeve, a roller on said shaft and including axially spaced flanges thereon, said shaft having at least two axially spaced notches individually alignable with said slot, and an arm adapted to extend through the slot in the notch aligned therewith to lock the shaft in position in the sleeve.

5. Apparatus as claimed in claim 4 comprising a tension roller coupled to the first said roller and radially spaced from the latter at a :fixed distance.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,328,352 1/1920 Workman 352-80 1,794,043 2/ 1931 Thornton 95-75 2,019,260 10/1935 Howell 95--75 NORTON ANSI-IER, Primary Examiner.

M. H. HAYES, Assistant Examiner. 

